At the WAGMI conference held in Miami on Friday, Aaron R. Day, the Chairman and CEO of the Daylight Freedom Foundation, delivered a compelling address centered on Roger Ver’s troubles with the U.S. government. During his speech, Day emphasized to the audience the gravity of the matter, describing it as a “high stakes situation.”
Miami Speech by Aaron Day Urges Support for Roger Ver in Fight Against Government Overreach
This week, Blockchain Week in Miami featured the WAGMI event at the James L. Knight Center, where Aaron R. Day—an accomplished entrepreneur, seasoned investor, published author, and dedicated political activist—took center stage. Day told the attendees that Roger Ver, a prominent early bitcoin investor and libertarian activist, is facing prison time after being arrested in Spain, where he has been detained for nine months awaiting extradition.
Day explained to the crowd that the case revolves around alleged tax issues from 2014, despite Ver hiring top legal and financial advisors to ensure compliance. He noted that the charges are clearly politically motivated, targeting Ver for his outspoken stance against central banks and government overreach. “Roger is a very smart man,” Day said. “He knew, because of his previous experience with the federal government during the fireworks case, that he needed to dot all his I’s and cross all his T’s when leaving the United States,” he noted.
“So, he paid his exit taxes,” Day continued during his speech. “He thought everything was fine. Then, in 2018, the IRS began an investigation into his case. When I say they began an investigation, I mean they sent armed IRS agents into his attorney’s office and grabbed his confidential attorney-client documents.”
Day stressed:
This is a gross violation and one of the sacred rights we have as American citizens. Nevertheless, the documents they obtained illegally and unconstitutionally actually showed that Roger was complying with the IRS.
Day explained that Ver sought legal counsel and believed his case with the IRS had been resolved due to its absurdity, but it was revived last year under Biden’s Executive Order 14067, which escalated cryptocurrency regulation and reopened dormant cases. Ver has since spent nine months in Spain, isolated from his family and unable to participate in the Bitcoin community while facing potential extradition and an exaggerated 19-year sentence for alleged tax fraud. Day called the situation outrageous, noting Ver has had no opportunity to settle the case.
Day emphasized:
The 19 years he faces is a ridiculous charge. They are essentially saying he committed fraud, and because he filed his taxes by mail, that’s 20 years per return. He filed three returns, so that’s three times 20—60 years. This is an obscene situation, and in all this time, there’s been no opportunity to settle the case.
Day further clarified that this case is not about Ver’s stance on Bitcoin but about the loss of attorney-client privilege. If the IRS wins, it could set a precedent allowing them to seize confidential documents and retroactively penalize individuals for following legal advice, he said. This represents the weaponization of taxes and the criminalization of success. Day expressed hope that, like with Ross Ulbricht, Trump could intervene and pardon Ver if made aware of the situation.
The freedom activist concluded:
I think we have a real shot at either the DOJ dropping the case or Roger winning his extradition case. He has a hearing in Los Angeles on February 3 regarding a motion to dismiss. I’m asking you to help by going to freerogernow.org, signing the open letter, and sharing this information. If Trump learns about this, we can make a difference. I believe Roger is a hero and proof that with perseverance, love, and enough support, anything is possible. The time to act is now.
Ver’s plight highlights the destructive consequences of a government bent on weaponizing its tax code to punish dissent and stifle innovation. His case exemplifies the dangers of unchecked federal overreach, where success and principled resistance are criminalized. Day concluded by noting that libertarians, freedom activists, and bitcoiners alike must rally to defend Ver—not just for his sake, but to uphold the sanctity of free markets and individual liberty.
Check out freerogernow.org today to explore Roger Ver’s Motion to Dismiss and lend your voice by signing the petition for his freedom.
